Travel Immunization

The Shot Nurse provides all the immunization you need when traveling outside the United States. Whether it's for business, pleasure or mission outreach opportunities, The Shot Nurse has the protection you need with a personal touch! We have convenient walk-in services at three convenient mid-south locations with no waiting and front door parking.

For groups, The nurse can come to you! A registered nurse can visit your church, school, or place of business to provide your group with the necessary vaccinations to insure your continued good health while traveling. There is no additional fee for this mobile service; we only require a minimum of 10 shots for your on-site appointment. Vitamin B-12 shots can count toward that minimum.

Complimentary Malaria Medication Prescription

Along with your travel vaccines, The Shot Nurse provides a complimentary Malaria medication prescription to be filled at your pharmacy. The cost of the medication varies by the prescription. The nurse will help you review the information about which medication is needed in your particular area of travel. Visit CDC recommended Malaria Drugs for more information on Malaria prevention.
If not receiving vaccines, cost to review recommendations and prescription only is $15.

How to determine which vaccinations are needed for your trip.

To determine which immunizations are needed for your trip, simply visit the Centers for Disease Control Web site at www.cdc.gov/travel and enter your destination. You will be informed as to which vaccines are required for entry into that country and which vaccines are recommended to protect you against many serious and often deadly diseases. Our travel vaccination specialist will go over this information with you during your visit to help ensure you get all the vaccinations needed for your trip.

The vaccinations listed on the opposite side of the page are common travel vaccines depending upon your place of travel. Current prices are listed on our Services Page.

You can walk-in with no appointment necessary to one of our convenient offices to receive your vaccinations!

Click here for hours and directions to one of our Mid-South locations. Or, contact our office to schedule an on-site group appointment for 10 or more.

Why Vaccinate?

Many countries around the world have infectious diseases that the United States does not. With the proper vaccinations you can prepare your body to defend itself if it comes in contact with one of these diseases.

When to Vaccinate

Make sure you get the vaccinations at least one month before your departure date.

You should also note that some vaccines are given over a period of time. You may have to return a few times before you are cleared for travel.

Regular Vaccinations

It is important that those traveling out of the United States are current on regular vaccinations. You can receive the necessary boosters at the same time you receive the extra vaccines needed for your trip. EVERYONE traveling needs a seasonal flu shot.

Required Vaccinations

There are countries in two continents that require vaccination for Yellow Fever before entering. They are South America, and Africa. Yellow Fever is transmitted through mosquitoes and it is a very serious viral disease. Infected individuals begin to get sick about five days after they have been bitten. They will get headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding through the skin, fever, and then bleeding internally as the organs are affected. If you plan to visit South America and Africa, you will need to get the Yellow Fever Vaccine.

One country requires a Meningococcal vaccination. That country is Saudi Arabia. Meningococcus is spread from human to human through saliva and bodily fluids. You cannot get it from an animal. It causes fevers, headaches, stiff necks, and can result in coma’s and death if not treated. It is a bacterial infection. If you plan on visiting Saudi Arabia, you will need to get this vaccine.

Vaccinations Based on Destination

Although there are only three countries (listed above) that require a vaccination to enter the country, there are still a number of vaccinations that are recommended for you to take. This means you can go to the country without the vaccine, but it is not to your benefit. You will be putting yourself at a greater risk of contracting the listed disease without the vaccine.

You will need to visit the CDC’s travel destination page in order to find out what vaccines are needed for the area of the world that you plan on visiting.

Second, click on the country with your mouse. If you don’t know where the country is on the map, then click on the letter under the map that the country starts with. You will see a list of countries that begin with that letter. Scroll down until you see your country and click on it.

Third, you will see a picture of the country you want to visit. Underneath of it you will see a list of recommended vaccines. You will also get a lot of information on how to prepare to visit that country.

Fourth, print out the page that details the vaccines you will need. Don’t let anyone tell you you don’t need the vaccines. This is a compiled list from the CDC (Center for Disease Control). Their job is to know this information and pass it on to travelers like yourself.

Review:

There are a few other things you need to review when you are ready to visit other countries.

Food and Water: It is very common for travelers to get sick if they don’t wash their hands before and after eating meals. You also don’t want to drink anything that hasn’t been pasteurized. If you begin to vomit or get diarrhea, it may be because of the food or water.

Animals: Stay away from all animals when in a foreign country. Don’t pet any of the animals including the cute little cats. Just because a cat looks like it is free of disease and illness, doesn’t mean it is. If you do touch any of the animals, you want to wash your hands with soap and water right away. You also need to be careful if an animal bites you. Wash the area and then go visit a physician. Rabies is one of the diseases to be cautious of in other countries and it is transmitted through animals.

Insects: Mainly a person needs to protect themselves from mosquitoes when visiting other countries. One of the most well known mosquito born diseases is encephalitis. To keep from getting bitten, you need to wear long sleeved shirts and long pants. You will also want to spray yourself with insect repellant that contains DEET.

Special Circumstances:

There are some special circumstances that could prevent a person from getting the necessary vaccines and being cleared for travel. It is important that if you are experiencing any of the following that you see your doctor immediately to find out if you even qualify to leave the country. This could depend on your condition as well as the country you want to visit and its recommended vaccines.

Pregnant. It is usually not advisable that pregnant women travel after their second trimester has ended. They may also not be able to get the recommended vaccines because the vaccine could harm the unborn baby.

Low Immune System. Many individuals that suffer from low immune system due to diseases such as HIV, or diabetes may not be able to get the vaccines they need to travel. They may also be more susceptible to catching diseases from other countries. A doctor would have to make a decision as to whether they feel the person was fit for travel or whether it would be too much of a risk.

Children. A doctor may alter a child’s normal immunization schedule in order to accommodate the vaccines needed for travel. It really depends on the country and the child’s age.